KLAUS CORNELL (b.1932): Peter Schlemihl.

Description: Cornell's 1965 opera after the story by Adelbert von Chamisso tells the tale of the man who sells his shadow to the devil, and then discovers that a man with no shadow is shunned by society and can no longer enjoy friends or love. Described as 'a picture book in music', Cornell's piece describes the action through the text, in six scenes, requiring no staging. The music is tonal and post-romantic, owing no small amount to Busoni; harmonically sophisticated, its engaging wit and satirical pungency also suggest the Gallic charm of Poulenc, and elements of Prokofiev, Shostakovich and Eisler. A delightfully diverting, exquisitely drawn parable in pictures. German-English libretto. Vera Schlosser (soprano), Gisela Litz (mezzo), Walter Anton Dotzer (tenor), Derrik Olsen (baritone), Beromünster Radio Orchestra; Klaus Cornell. 1965 recording.